Paul–An Example of Faithfulness
March 4, 2021
Commentary
Paul traveled on foot from Troas to Assos (about 18 miles) while his friends sailed there directly (v. 13). Perhaps Paul wanted some time alone to think, pray, and plan. From Assos they sailed along the coast of Asia Minor to Miletus (vv. 14-15), an important port city. Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, because he did not want to spend too much time in Asia. He was in a hurry and wanted to be in Jerusalem in time for Pentecost (v. 16). Paul had sent ahead for the elders of the church of Ephesus (about thirty miles away) to meet him (v. 17). In the next few verses (vv. 18-25) we find Paul’s “farewell” to one of his favorite Churches. He had ministered in Ephesus for about two-and-a-half years. His life had been an open book, and he now challenged the Ephesian elders to examine it (v. 18). They had seen him serve with humility and tears. They had seen him endure the plots of the Jews (v. 19). Happy is a pastor or Christian leader, who having faithfully served a church for a length of time can truthfully say “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (vv. 20-21).
Some Bible scholars, such as Donald Grey Barnhouse and John Phillips, believe Paul was acting against God’s will in his determination to go to Jerusalem. They say that Paul was “constrained by the spirit” small “s”, not the Holy Spirit (v. 22). They say Paul was neglecting his true calling and should have been traveling to Rome or Spain (as the apostle to the Gentiles). Paul said that the Holy Spirit was telling him in every city that imprisonment and affliction awaited him in Jerusalem (v. 23). Paul knew, however, that his life was no longer his. The best use of his life was to finish the path the Lord had set him on, “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (v. 24). Paul was exactly where God wanted him to be, and he faced the approaching trial with courage.
Application
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” – Paul (Philippians 1:21)
Acts 20:13– 24 (NET)
13 We went on ahead to the ship and put out to sea for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for he had arranged it this way. He himself was intending to go there by land. 14 When he met us in Assos, we took him aboard and went to Mitylene. 15 We set sail from there, and on the following day we arrived off Chios. The next day we approached Samos, and the day after that we arrived at Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so as not to spend time in the province of Asia, for he was hurrying to arrive in Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost. 17 From Miletus he sent a message to Ephesus, telling the elders of the church to come to him.
18 When they arrived, he said to them, “You yourselves know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I set foot in the province of Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, and with the trials that happened to me because of the plots of the Jews. 20 You know that I did not hold back from proclaiming to you anything that would be helpful, and from teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 testifying to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem without knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit warns me in town after town that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me. 24 But I do not consider my life worth anything to myself, so that I may finish my task and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the good news of God’s grace.
Illustration: Jesus’ Example of Faithfulness to the World
A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, ’Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today.’ After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. ’Oh,’ she said, ’on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together.’ (Source Unknown)